Fluorescent lights hummed
steadily above the
supermarket produce bins.
The cool air smelled of
cold fruit and damp
cardboard.
She paused just past the
turnstile.
Across the walkway, a
young man was already
heading toward the exit.
He looked up and caught
her eyes.
For a quiet second,
neither of them turned
away.
His face softened into a
bright, sincere smile.
He kept his pace and
walked through the sliding
doors.
The glass panels met with
a soft thud behind him.
She stood gripping the
cold handle of her
shopping basket, listening
to the registers chime.